Miguel Sano

After hitting 30 home runs for the second time in his career in 2021 and then losing 25 pounds in the offseason, Sano looked set for a solid 2022 campaign. However, he began the year in a 5-for-54 slump and then suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. He missed two months and then was shut down in July after playing three games after a setback to the injury. When Sano is healthy, he has elite power, ranking in the top ten in baseball in 2021 in max exit velocity, average exit velocity and barrel rate. He struggles to make contact (58.3 contact rate last season), however, given his high strikeout rate (35.2 K% last season). His lack of contact made him just a league average hitter at first base when healthy (110 wRC+ in 2022) and showed his downside last season. He'll compete for a DH and first base role this spring. While there's reason to think he'll bounce back (.177 BABIP last year), his size (272 pounds) and durability concerns could also hasten a rapid decline to his career.

Sano hit 30 or more home runs in a season for the second time last year as he made the most contact of his career (61.1%). That may not sound like much given his 185 strikeouts, but that's because when Sano does make contact he has elite power. Sano ranked in the top ten in baseball in max exit velocity, average exit velocity and barrel rate. Sano struggled in the first half by hitting just .196 with a .705 OPS and nearly lost his regular spot in the lineup. He improved in the second half by hitting .250 with a .847 OPS. He's always had high strikeout rates (34.4% last year) which are partially offset by high walk rates (11.4% last year). At 272 pounds injury and fitness are a risk, but he did play a career-high 135 games last season. And he's in danger of losing his everyday job if he can't be more than just a league average hitter at first base (110 wRC+). Still, his prolific power has 40+ home run potential if he can stay healthy and make more contact for a full season.

Sano has elite power but took a step back at the plate last season as he hit just .204 with a 99 wRC+. When Sano made contact he ranked third in baseball in hard-hit rate (57.3%) and second in average exit velocity (95.2 mph) per Baseball Savant. His 2020 stats would be pro rated for 35 home runs over a full season. He had trouble making contact, however, as he had a 43.9% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate, both career worsts. He's always had high strikeout rates, which were usually partially offset by high walk rates. His power had more of an impact at third base, but the Twins, and fantasy teams, won't get as much value if he's just a league average hitter at first base - the position he moved to permanently last season. Sano's season did get started a few days late after a bout with Covid-19 and he dealt with a sore neck late in the season. At 272 pounds injury and fitness are a risk. Still, Sano has the skill set to become one of the best power hitters in the league so long as he stays healthy and keeps in shape.

Sano bounced back from a disappointing 2018 season that saw him sent to the minors, fulfilling his promise as an elite power hitter. Sano missed the first month after suffering a cut on his right heel in a freak accident, but returned in shape and focused. He proceeded to hit 34 home runs in just 105 games with a career-high .922 OPS. Sano has a high strikeout rate (36.2%) but offsets his whiffs by drawing walks (12.5 BB%) and making his contact count. He was second in MLB in average exit velocity (94.4 mph) and first in percentage of balls hit 95-plus mph. Sano has outstanding agility for a player his size (272 pounds) and a powerful throwing arm, but he's still a slight liability at third base (-5 DRS). He'll eventually need to move to 1B or DH. Wherever he plays, Sano looks poised to become one of the best power hitters in the league so long as he stays healthy and keeps in shape.

Sano took a big step backward last year, eventually getting sent to the minors for almost six weeks in an effort to rebuild his confidence and conditioning. He needed offseason surgery to insert a metal rod into his leg, and likely returned before working his way into game shape. Sano also missed time due to a hamstring injury, and hit just .203/.270/.405 through 37 games. He was surprisingly optioned to High-A amid his struggles and returned to the majors in late July, but still could not get on track, hitting just .195/.294/.390. Sano has prodigious power and an outstanding walk rate, but strikes out too frequently (career-worst 38.5% last season). The Twins still view him as a third baseman, although advanced defensive metrics suggest he would be best deployed at DH. Sano has as much raw power as any player in the game, but his rocky 2018 illustrates how low his floor is and gives pause to forecasting success in 2019.

Sano fulfilled his promise as an elite power hitter before missing most of the final two months due to a shin injury. The Twins stopped using him in the outfield, and he was passable defensively at third base. He hit 21 home runs with a .906 OPS in the first half, but played just 32 games in the second half due to a stress reaction in his left shin. Sano tried to return briefly in September, eventually needing offseason surgery to insert a metal rod into his leg. He has a career 12.3 percent walk rate and monstrous power, but he continues to strike out in over one-third of his plate appearances. Fortunately, his 44.8 percent hard-hit rate ranked fourth in MLB, which significantly raises his batting average floor. He's expected to be completely healthy when spring training begins. In December, Sano was accused of an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 2015. At press time, no charges had been filed, and MLB had not publicly started an investigation.

Sano took a step backward after his promising rookie stint. Minnesota struggled to find a position for Sano and made the surprising decision to start him in right field, which may have hindered his plate work. Sano hit just .235 with a .799 OPS in the first two months. After missing most of July with a strained hamstring, Sano moved to third base. He continued to struggle with his health (elbow, back) and finished the season mostly playing DH. Sano's frequent injuries and worsening approach led to demotion talk in August. He increased an already problematic strikeout rate to 36.0 percent last season and drew fewer walks (10.9 percent walk rate compared to 15.8 percent in 2015). Long term, any position other than DH may not be sustainable given his size. Despite his flaws, Sano still draws walks at a strong rate and boasts prodigious power, tools that could help him fulfill his promise and become one of baseball's top home run threats.

Sano made a strong impression in his rookie season as he quickly went from looking like one of the Twins' best hitters to one of the best hitters in the league. He was called up at the start of July after hitting 15 home runs with a .918 OPS at Double-A, and didn't miss a beat despite skipping a level. Sano had a strong 15.8% walk rate, which is uncommon for a rookie, and flashed 40-homer potential. The batting average is a risk since he struck out too often (35.5%) and had an unsustainable .401 BABIP, plus he will be DH-only in many formats at least to start the year. The Twins have said they want Sano to play in the field in 2016, but Trevor Plouffe remains in the way at third base. First base could be where he ultimately ends up. No matter what, the Twins will make room for Sano in the lineup and he'll likely be the cleanup hitter.

Sano entered spring training 2014 as one of the top hitting prospects in baseball with an outside shot to win the starting third base job, but suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2014 season but is expected to be ready by spring training. When we last saw Sano on the field, he hit a combined .280/.382/.610 with 35 home runs between High-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain in 2013. Sano draws walks at a strong rate (12%), but also strikes out too much (142 strikeouts). He will need to make better contact for his batting average not to be a drag in the majors. Sano showed improvement with his fielding at third base in 2013, but it's still not clear if he'll stick at the hot corner in the majors. The missed season may prolong his time in the minors, as GM Terry Ryan said the Twins don't plan for him to contend for a major league job this spring and he'll likely spend a full season in the minors. However, a hot start to the season –- and proof his elbow is back to full strength –- could hasten that timetable. Sano is still projected to be an impact bat for the Twins and a pillar of the rebuilding effort.

Sano's prodigious power has made him perhaps the top hitting prospect in baseball and he could contend for a starting job with the Twins in spring training. Sano hit a combined .280/.382/.610 with 35 home runs between High-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain. After hitting .330 with a 1.079 OPS at High-A, he slowed somewhat at Double-A by hitting just .236, but he still had a .915 OPS and hit 19 home runs. Sano draws walks at a strong rate (12% of plate appearances), but he also struck out too much (142 strikeouts). He will need to make better contact for his batting average not to be a drag in the majors. Sano showed improvement with his fielding at third base, as he cut his errors nearly in half, but it's still not clear if he'll stick at the hot corner in the majors. He also missed most of winter ball due to a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The injury is thought to be minor, but it could hurt his chances to win the starting third base job in spring training. If Sano doesn't win the starting job in spring training, he could be called up early in the season with a fast start at Triple-A. Along with Byron Buxton, Sano is a key cornerstone in Minnesota's rebuilding plans and one of the top keepers in fantasy baseball.

Sano's tremendous power puts him among the top hitting prospects in the game and a strong season at Low-A puts him on track to perhaps be Minnesota's next star hitter. Sano had an encouraging development as he drew walks (15 percent of plate appearances) at a great rate, but he also struck out too much (144 strikeouts). He will need to make better contact to thrive at higher levels. He played third base at Low-A, but made 42 errors in 125 games. It is not clear if he will have the glove to stay at third base at higher levels, and Sano may have to move to the outfield. Those flaws are offset by his power as he hit 28 home runs in Low-A as a 19-year-old. The Twins have been deliberate with his development, but a strong 2013 season could make him a factor in the majors in 2014.

Sano is living up to the hype that made him a high-priced signing out of the Dominican Republic and he may be Minnesota's next star hitter. Sano hit .292/.352/.637 with 20 home runs in 66 games in the rookie Appalachian League. He displayed massive power potential at just age 18 and was drawing comparisons to Miguel Cabrera. While Sano drew more walks in his second professional season, he still needs to improve his contact rate (77 strikeouts in 267 at-bats). He alternated playing third base and shortstop and his future position likely depends how much he grows beyond his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. The Twins haven't ruled out playing him at shortstop, but he'll likely move to third base or even the outfield at higher levels. A strong season at Low-A Beloit could bring him to the ranks of the most elite prospects in baseball.

Sano showed enough in his first professional season to draw comparisons to a young Miguel Cabrera. He was considered the top prospect in the Dominican Republic when he signed with the Twins in November 2009. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he was moved to third base from shortstop and posted a 1.009 OPS in 20 games in the Dominican Summer League, before hitting .291/.338/.466 for the Gulf Coast League Twins in rookie ball. He struggled with the strike zone (10:43 K:BB ratio), but held his own in rookie ball at just 17. He has explosive bat speed with huge power potential. Sano needs refinement, but the upside is very high.

Jean was considered the top prospect in the Dominican Republic, which made it a surprise when the low revenue Twins nabbed him with a $3.15 million singing bonus. The 16-year-old shortstop looks like a fully developed player at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds and he's said to have good power and a strong arm. However, we'll need to see how he fares in his first taste of professional baseball to see if he'll have the mobility to remain at shortstop given his size. He also changed his name from Miguel Angel Sano to Miguel Jean after his signing, so beware any confusion.